I'm Back!
Thank all of you guys/gals for your loving support on this project. I have been gone for a long time with other thing on a long list and this story might give you a better understanding of my own philosophy on such.
Again, I commemorate the KS staff for their latest blog post by Aura giving me a reason to go on. Something I think we all need to learn. Anyways to the story.
I know people have been waiting for my take on Rin and to be honest I had a hard time getting what I did. This is the longest story lengthwise I have written but to me it is not as deep as the others, maybe it beats Shizune’s but you know. I do this because I love to and that’s the best reason. Please point out any mistakes before I ship to DA and full critique is appreciated.
I can’t wait until Hanako’s B-day and the ending of this series. I’ve got a lot planned in my mind. Must be because my brain is so huge.
A Day in the Life of Rin
“Oh Hisao, your shoulder is so strong yet soft.”
“I must admit they have been getting a bit flabby.”
“Everyone loves jello after all.”
“Hey, they’re not that bad nor do they taste like jello.”
“I think they do,” I begin nibbling at his shoulder. “Tastes like Hisao flavor.”
“They don’t even have a flavor like that.”
“It’s like how they say everything tastes like chicken.”
“I don’t think that applies in this case. What I would like to taste though is Rin flavor,” His eyes turn to me and then make their way towards my neck. His lips start nibbling at the skin making their way towards my ear. “Delicious.”
“T-trying to take advantage of a girl with no arms. I can’t push you away in refute.”
“You wouldn’t do that if you could,” He was right. “Now, I wish to taste the sweetest piece of this delicacy.”
He begins moving towards my lips and I close my eyes in wait of his kiss; it never comes.
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A dream, the same dream I have had ever since the school festival. It has gradually gotten longer every night and tonight I almost had him. It seems as though in reality we have started to spend more time together but I haven’t seen any movement away from friendship. I thought it was fine the way things were but when the mind is free to dream, real thoughts are utilized. That’s what mother always said anyways. I’m beginning to think that she was right.
The room was cold from the open window but I didn’t mind. In fact, I enjoy the cold and winter. The snow erases all existence in a blanket of white and washes away the old world to make way for a new. I soon notice the clock on the foot of my bed.
“Looks like I’m going to be late for class again.”
I begin getting myself dressed and make my way to the classrooms. It started getting warmer as I made my way to class. It appears like it is only going to get warmer so I guess I’ll eat in the art room today. Emi said something about a sports meeting during lunch. Honestly what would they have to meet about, we have the best disabled sports team in the area. Actually, the only disabled sports team in the area; perhaps the entire country. Soon after, I finally make it to class without receiving a tardy. Praise the mighty conch.
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Emi had prepared a lunch for me and I told her I was going to eat in the art room. She figured I would say such and ran off to her meeting. It had appeared to me that she had something on her mind but I left things as they were. I took my normal seat on the desk by the window and looked out to the school grounds as I began enjoying my lunch. I noticed a pair of bodies standing by the sports storage shed. One of them was sporting blue hair and the other with an unnatural pink and what appeared to be drills coming out of her head. Wait, that’s umm Hakamichi and her loudmouthed companion Mikado. It looks like they are waiting for someone or something. I didn’t think Haka’s world domination plans would be starting this early and it looks like she enlisted the powers of the Sith to help her.
“I would have thought they wore cloaks but I guess a sweater works too.”
The figure passes something to Mikado and vice versa. The figure then leaves by barrel-rolling into the bushes before springing up in a yelp I could hear. I didn’t think the Sith had sunk that low in looking for members; must have been someone else. I continue eating my lunch thinking about what I had just seen. Perhaps this calls for the private investigation of Rin Tezuka. The bell rings and I leave having finished off my lunch only to still be hungry. I guess when they say man can’t live on bread alone they also meant women. Perhaps a piece of chocolate cake would be enough to seduce my craving. There is only one problem, no cake. I begin making my way towards class as I don’t think people are to forgiving about being late twice in a row.
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I was walking down the halls after class when a swift scent of alcohol lingered in the air. I had known some students to smuggle alcohol into the school like that Kenji and others but who would be foolish enough to let it be this strong in the school? I follow my nose to a room with the door slightly cracked open. I take a peek inside and see several familiar faces.
“Does anyone smell that?”
It appears as if Hisao is helping the girls fold letters of some kind. It also appears that he smells the same thing I do but where is it coming from?
“I know that smell. Shizune…you smell...you smell…like my father’s alcohol cabinet. Do you drink Shizune?”
Haha, the great case is solved. She was getting alcohol from that person in the hood earlier.
“Hicchan, can’t you recognize a beautiful perfume when you smell one!”
“Per-perfume? Why would she be wearing perfume?”
“Don’t you like it, Hicchan!”
An alcohol smelling perfume, this is really interesting. I wonder if it comes in a scotch scent. Just then I notice Hakamichi starting to look red as if her head was about to explode like a shaken soda cap.
“Evacuate, evacuate, women and children first! That means you Hicchan!”
Oh great, they’re heading for the door. There is nowhere to hide; except. A large paper recyclable bin is behind me. I dive into it as quickly as I could; a perfect fit. The two soon bust out the door.
“This is not going to be pretty.”
I hear a loud noise coming from inside the room. We have lift off ladies and gentlemen. Hard to believe a mute can make so much of a racket. It would appear that Hisao didn’t like the new perfume. I’ll make a mental note of that for future reference.
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I waited until the two parted and relieved myself from my little hiding place. I had tried to search out where Hisao went but it was no use. I decided to head back to the dorms by the scenic route. The heat was still working to its extent while I made my way towards to track. I remember Emi looking like something was on her mind so she might just be there. She normally thinks her best while running and it appeared she needed that much. Upon approach I notice a lone body running around the track.
“Hi Rin!” I hear her voice in the distance but don’t reply until I reach her.
“You’re practicing this late?”
“Actually, I had just wanted to clear my head,” I knew it. “By the way, why are you out here?”
“I was heading back to the dorms.”
“But, they’re in the opposite direction.”
“I felt like taking the scenic route.”
“That’s not very efficient, you would have gotten there faster had you just headed straight there.”
“You know, sometimes the best things in life are those that we have to slow down in order to acknowledge. Otherwise, you’ll just pass them by without even knowing they exist,” She seemed to look like she was thinking about something. “Now that I told you, what is it you’re thinking about?”
“Well, do I look a little childish to you?” That seems like a first for Emi to worry about her appearance.
“As in the pigtails, your height, bust size…”
“I think I get the picture,” I seemed to have struck a chord.
“You’re only the age you feel. The body is always something that can changed, heck they make a business out of the practice. Doctors make millions of dollars forming superficial beauty and age. Those people will die the same time no matter what they look like. How one feels however can transcend that appearance. You’re body can be fifty yet you still maintain the same youth as when you were a teen. Sometimes you are childish and sometimes you’re very mature.” I give her a slight smile but now I’m starting to wonder why she would worry about her appearance so much.
“Thanks Rin, that helps a bit. However, I still feel like I would prefer to look more physically developed in some cases.”
“What prompted that conclusion?”
“It has to do with Hisao and umm…his condition.”
“I knew the problem was in his pants.”
“Wait, what, no that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“So there’s still a chance,” mumbling to myself.
“What did you say Rin?” I think she heard me umm, I have to think…
“So there were ants in his pants.”
“Rin! Stop getting the wrong idea.”
It looks like she bought it. I breathe a sigh of slight relief before she continues.
“Never mind, I’ll just be heading straight back to the dorm to shower now.” As she begins to walk away I notice she still doesn’t look to happy. I wonder if Hisao really did do something to make her like this.
“Don’t let Hisao’s ants get to you as well. I suggest you fall asleep with your head facing the north.”
“What for?”
“I hear that if you do that and make a wish, you’ll be blessed by the gods.”
I smile to her and continue on my initial path. I hope she feels better tomorrow.
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My expedition takes me to the woods on the opposite side of the school grounds and eventually I start making my way back towards the dorms. The sun was starting to wane in the distance when I noticed a lone female figure standing by my mural. Have they come to admire it? I think back to when Hisao and I had watched people go by during the festival. I was hoping that more people would have critiqued my work be it good or bad. Just a few verbal comments would have been nice from people other than Hisao; he seemed to be one of only a few. Those friends of Nomiya were really specific and used words I didn’t even recognize. To me art isn’t as simple as they make it appear.
Upon seeing the girl more clearly I feel a sense of hunger coming back to me. She has her head turned to the side looking at the mural so I turn mine as well.
“I think it looks better this way as well,” She jumps like a frightened kitten in a dog show.
“R-rin, how long have you been here?”
“Well, it was several years ago when my parents decided they wanted to have….”
“N-no….that’s not what I meant.”
I continue looking at my mural seeing if there was something peculiar that she was searching for. Don’t tell me Hisao told her about that bunny he said he could see. Try as I might I never could picture this image he spoke of. I hear her faint voice say something as she left but not loud enough to make out. I sigh and think, ‘another one runs away from Rin Tezuka.’ Seems my batting average for keeping people around is at an all-time low recently.
“It seems you really can’t find that rabbit can you,” His voice causes me to turn abruptly around.
“Who says I was wabbit hunting?”
“Since when did you become Elmer Fudd?”
“Well I can’t grow a mustache, or is that how you like your women,” He smiles and walks beside me. “You know, you’re advice really paid off today.”
“I need more information than that. I am full of so many philosophical sayings after all.”
“The one about taking life slow in order to appreciate it. I used it on Emi today,” He looks like he is thinking for a moment and then turns back to me. “She also seemed to be affected by how you see her body.”
“W-what do you mean?” He starts getting nervous as though he is hiding something.
“Were you two having a wrestling match?”
“Why would we…Good heavens nothing like that Rin!”
“Okay, but Emi did mention something about your condition. Did you have another episode?”
I had become more aware of Hisao’s condition. I didn’t pay much attention to it when I first met him but over time I looked into it and found out that he is definitely worse off than me. I can live without worries but he has to deal with the thought of potentially dying at any moment. My stomach started to growl.
“How about we deal with your hunger condition first,” He looks at me with those caring eyes. He really does try to live by his own motto of enjoying the time you have. “Don’t tell Emi but I secretly have a bit of chocolate cake in my room if you would like to share.”
“I do enjoy cake. It’s so light and fluffy, almost like you are eating a cloud.”
“Have you ever tried eating a cloud?”
“Fog is a cloud, just close to the ground. You open your mouth like this and bite,” I make a motion of snapping something out of the air. *cough, cough*
“Are you okay Rin?”
“Bugs don’t taste as good as a cloud. Now, about that cake.”
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On our way to Hisao’s room he asked if I’d mind helping him try and get his money back from his friend Kenji.
“I wouldn’t really call him a friend. More like a bad acquaintance.”
We arrive at a door where we hear several loud noises.
“It sounds like he is wrestling with a panda in there.”
“Now where would he get a panda?”
*thump, crash* “Save me!”
“Okay, maybe your point has some validity,” He pounds on the door. “Kenji, what’s going on in there? The doors locked, I can’t get in.”
Quiet instills the room and not a sound is heard, until.
“The feminists have breached the walls! Send all available units to the front line! The pink destruction is here!”
I had heard stories about his deluded acts but never thought him to be a true psycho. Then again he could be right, not like I’m in the loop or anything. Hisao didn’t seem as worried as he was before.
“You’re drunk again, aren’t you?” I guess those stories about him are true.
“I’m telling you, save yourselves!” *thud* Then all was quiet.
“Yep, he’s as drunk as a pirate in a galley of rum. Let’s leave him be. I’ll ask for my money in the future.”
“You certainly have interesting friends. Is that why you were so inept on lounging with me during the Festival?”
“What? Don’t even think something like that. You’re nothing like him. You have your own unique way of looking at things. He just…well…I’ve got nothing.”
“So the great philosopher can’t explain everything. Then again, can anything really be explained?”
“There is the Rin I know. *grumble, grumble* Now I’m getting hungry. Let’s head in before we run into another interesting predicament.”
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Hisao’s room looked plain but then I notice multiple jars of pills lining the desk.
“Those all for your pants problem?” I joke but I knew what they were for.
“How many times are you going to think there is a problem down there?”
“Until you prove me wrong,” What did I just say? I wasn’t thinking at all and it just blurted out. He looks at me, shocked at first but then starts to laugh. “What’s so funny?”
“The only way I would be able to prove that is to do something that would probably kill me. It would have to have a reason more than just your curiosity.”
I didn’t believe he would laugh it off like that but also to make a comment like he did. Do I not appeal to him enough? Perhaps a ‘full’ body is what he would like to embrace. I see him looking for a response so I change the subject.
“So…umm where is this hidden cake of yours?”
“Just inside this cabinet,” He pulls a small half-eaten chocolate cake with what appears to be the word CAKE written on it. Honestly, who writes the word cake on a cake? He then pulls a few paper plates and plastic forks out the drawer. “Now remember, don’t tell Emi. She would kill me if you do and that kind of defeats the purpose of what she is doing.”
That brought me back to the topic of earlier.
“As I was saying before, Emi mentioned something about your real condition,” His face turned pale and then slightly red before replying.
“Well, I had a faint episode on the track today and she was just worried about me. It wasn’t a big deal so I didn’t worry about going to the nurse,” He sets down the knife he was cutting with. “I feel so feeble at times. Why did this happen to me?” I’ve got to say something. “Like I’m going to fall apart by running just one extra step…”
“Push on.”
“What?”
“Push on Hisao. Maybe not in a physical way, but you do have to get past it. We’re here for a reason and a short time, just like those fireworks. Remember?”
“And we should make do with what time we have to shine as best we can.”
“Besides, we wouldn’t have gotten to meet each other if it wasn’t the way it is,” He smiles at me as we enjoy our cake.
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We spoke for some time then and I left before we would get in trouble. On the way back to my room I kept thinking about Hisao and his condition. I could only imagine what he has dealt with, yet can’t. It’s improbable, no impossible to think of.
I arrive in my room only to plant myself face first into my pillow. I don’t feel like changing. My continued thoughts clash with my feelings. I am reminded of the faint time we have, could be many years or a few days. I wish to enter my dream world where time wasn’t a factor. You could dream about a full life yet in reality it is only a few hours. Is this really the dream and the rest reality? I wish it was, for there I could be with someone I care for without such thoughts in tow.
(flashback several years)
“Do dreams really come true mother?”
“As long as you believe Rin, as long as you believe.”
)
